Only get sound out of front speakers with winamp? And no center channel period...

[gingo]

I recently reformatted and reinstalled Windows XP because I got a new mobo (Abit NF7-S). I disabled onboard sound because I want to keep using my Hercules 5.1 card. Anyway, I installed the drivers I was using before the reformat (when everything was working fine, true 5.1) and I dont get anything from the center channel now. I get sound from the 4 speakers and the sub, just not the center, this is when gaming and playing something with windows media player.

I just installed winamp (latest version) and I only get sound from the front two speakers. What is the problem?

I think I am using the latest drivers (6.39).

Any help would be appreciated.

[stratcatprowlin]

I didnt know winamp supported 5.1 sound.
If it does try going through the options to enable it.

[Yodums]

We're in the same boat. The 5.1 Soundstorm messed up my whole 5.1 setup.. completely! I'm currently using a creative sb live platinum 5.1 and well, I got an NF7-S v2.0 and the center speaker projects no sound during the Creative test which is a 5.1 test that goes through each speaker.. etc.

Anyways, this isn't a big loss unless you use your computer has a DVD center.. you're not going to use that center speaker if you're playing mp3s from winamp or WMP.

[gingo]

I remember I got sound from all speakers with Winamp before.

Also I know I'm not missing out on much, but I would like to have the center channel working for games, ect.
Weird, maybe it is an effect from the onboard audio, which is disabled...

[moz_21]

Under Plugins make sure it uses Directsound for the output and you will be using 4.1 surround. (for MP3s... they are stereo only). Make sure to select config and enable hardware acceleration because this fixed some skipping I had.

I have never heard sound from the center channel even with 5.1 DVDs lol. But it works in the nvidia sound test.

[johan851]

Under Plugins make sure it uses Directsound for the output and you will be using 4.1 surround. (for MP3s... they are stereo only). Make sure to select config and enable hardware acceleration because this fixed some skipping I had.
That worked for me as well. In the DirectSound settings make sure you select Soundstorm as your device, not "Primary Sound Driver."

If you want to hear from your center channel (I don't know why...that gave me a headache) you can check the "create center channel" box in the Soundstorm Control Panel.

[moz_21]

That worked for me as well. In the DirectSound settings make sure you select Soundstorm as your device, not "Primary Sound Driver."

If you want to hear from your center channel (I don't know why...that gave me a headache) you can check the "create center channel" box in the Soundstorm Control Panel.

Oooo center sound thanks! But should you have to select this for 5.1 dvd movies?

[gingo]

Thanks, at least now its coming from 4 speakers in winamp.

Maybe I can live with no center channel... There is actually a button on my Z640 speakers called matrix that just takes the sound from the front left/right speakers and plays it through the center, but its not 'true' center channel.

Thanks for the help though.

[Azzkiller]

Thanks, at least now its coming from 4 speakers in winamp.

Maybe I can live with no center channel... There is actually a button on my Z640 speakers called matrix that just takes the sound from the front left/right speakers and plays it through the center, but its not 'true' center channel.

Thanks for the help though.

You aren't going to get a "true" center channel at all with a stereo recording. That matrix mode is the best you can do.

Audio cd's are designed to be played back on 2 channel equipment.

[johan851]

I think you need to disable that "Create Center Channel" checkbox on DVDs, games, and whatever outputs true 5.1 sound. The Matrix button should do the same thing.